Our Story

WHY PROJECT
SAGE EXISTS

Because the people with the most life experience should not be the easiest targets for the newest technology.

Mission

PROTECT THE WISEST GENERATION FROM THE MOST DANGEROUS TECHNOLOGY

Project SAGE (Seniors Against AI-Generated Exploitation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are the region's first AI literacy program built specifically for adults over 60.

Our mission is simple: give seniors the knowledge and confidence to recognize AI-powered scams before they cause harm. We do this through free, in-person workshops at libraries and community centers, printed safety resources in plain language, and an alumni community that keeps members informed as threats evolve.

We believe that education is the most powerful defense against fraud. When a senior can identify a cloned voice, spot a phishing email written by AI, or recognize a deepfake video, they become not just safer themselves, but a source of protection for their entire family and community.

Every workshop is free. Every resource is free. Every conversation is judgment-free. We meet people where they are, and we never assume what they do or do not know about technology.

The Problem

SENIORS ARE THE PRIMARY TARGET

Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023 according to the Federal Trade Commission. That number has been growing every year, and AI is accelerating it dramatically.

Voice cloning technology can now replicate anyone's voice from just three seconds of audio. That short clip from a voicemail greeting or a social media video is enough for a scammer to call a grandparent pretending to be their grandchild in an emergency. AI-generated phishing emails are now grammatically flawless and personalized, making them nearly impossible to distinguish from real messages.

The challenge is not that seniors are gullible. The challenge is that they are trusting, and these new tools are designed to exploit trust. Traditional fraud education does not cover AI-specific threats, and most digital literacy programs are designed for younger adults.

That gap is why Project SAGE exists. We teach the specific skills needed to identify AI-generated content, verify identities over the phone, and respond safely when something feels wrong. These are practical, learnable skills that work.

Mo Shalabi, founder of Project SAGE, wearing glasses and a navy blazer
Mo Shalabi
Founder & Executive Director
The Founder
"I SAW HOW FAST A SCAM COULD TAKE EVERYTHING FROM SOMEONE I LOVE."

Mo Shalabi has worked in information technology and cybersecurity for over a decade. He has helped organizations of every size protect their systems and data from attack. But the moment that changed his path was personal.

After watching someone close to him nearly fall victim to a sophisticated AI scam, Mo realized that the people most at risk had the least access to the knowledge that could protect them. Seniors were being targeted at record rates, and the existing resources were either too technical, too generic, or simply not reaching the communities that needed them most.

Mo founded Project SAGE in 2025 to close that gap. He built the program around a simple principle: if you explain how these scams actually work in clear, respectful language, people can protect themselves. Every workshop reflects that belief.

Project SAGE is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Mo continues to serve as Executive Director, designing curriculum and leading workshops across the region.

What Guides Us

OUR VALUES

RESPECT

Seniors are intelligent adults who deserve straight talk, not watered-down explanations or condescending reassurances. We speak with people, not at them. Every interaction assumes competence and treats questions as a sign of strength.

ACCESS

Money should never be a barrier to safety. Our workshops are free. Our printed materials are free. We hold sessions in public spaces that are familiar and accessible. If someone cannot get to us, we will find a way to get to them.

EMPOWERMENT

We lead with capability, not fear. Our goal is not to scare people about technology. It is to give them the confidence and specific knowledge to use it safely. When someone walks out of a SAGE workshop, they feel stronger, not more afraid.